By Emily Graf
The world of book publishing is becoming increasingly complex. For an author with publishing aspirations, it can be difficult to know where to start or what advice to follow. Should I query agents, or reach out directly to editors? Build my platform on Instagram? What makes a strong book proposal or query? As an independent editor and consultant, a writer myself, and the acquiring editor at Sentient Publications, I have a vested interest in answering these questions too!
In the webinar “What Makes an Editor Say Yes?” I’ll be delving into these questions and much more. For now, here’s a taste of the recommendations I’ll be sharing. (These thoughts are my own based on my editorial experience, and thus to some degree subjective.)
1. Why You, Why Now?: For nonfiction authors, consider: why am I the best person to write on this topic, and what is my book speaking to in the zeitgeist? For fiction writers, consider the current market and show that you have an understanding of where your book might fit—sharing a few comp titles is a good way to communicate this. These connections don’t always have to be on-the-nose, but where it’s natural, find a way to connect your book to a current cultural moment.
2. Share Your Real Voice: As an editor, I am instantly deleting any query where the text of the email is AI-generated. The query email is your first interaction with a prospective agent or editor; they may or may not decide to open your attachments (or request you send them) based on this email. Be professional, but warm and conversational. Show that you know how to write. People like to work with real people who are easy to communicate with! Show them upfront that you are a dynamic, smart and interesting writer. Show also that you’ve researched their house or agency.
3. Build Your Platform Before You Query: For nonfiction authors, I’ve seen so many proposals that say “I’d be willing to go on these podcasts” or “I have access to a Facebook group of 1M people.” Sadly, this is not evidence of a platform. Get yourself on podcasts now; start the Substack today and build a following; get bylines in magazines and journals. Demonstrate that you have expertise and credibility in your subject area. A marketing platform you own, even if small, is more compelling than a fantasy one that contains millions of followers. For fiction writers, social media’s value isn’t just follower count but the community you build. Having an established, engaged audience demonstrates to agents and publishers that you already have potential readers for your work; socials are less about promotion, and more about building genuine connections with readers.
4. Edit All of Your Materials Rigorously: Particularly for small presses, taking on a manuscript that needs a heavy edit can be financially burdensome and trigger a “no” response, even if they like the book’s central idea. Make sure you are turning in your most refined work. Take your query, synopsis, sample chapters, and book proposal to a trusted literary friend or to an editor. I might be an anomaly in traditional publishing, but the first thing I tend to look at (if I open a proposal) is the sample chapters and the quality of the writing. Make it shine!
5. Know Your Market: Are you writing high literary fiction? Then best not to query a romantasy imprint. Wrote a travel memoir? It probably won’t find a home with a publisher of business books. I often look twice at a query when the author has clearly done their research about our publishing house, and can make the case that their work would be at home in our catalog.
Emily Graf – Editor, Sentient Publications
“What Makes an Editor Say Yes?”
September 16, 2026 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Want to learn more and get your questions answered? Register for the webinar!
…is an independent editor and consultant, as well as the acquiring editor at Sentient Publications. She is also a poet and essayist, with recent publications in Chestnut Review and HuffPost. Emily is an MFA candidate at the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers. She lives in Boulder, CO with her wonderful husband.
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